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Utilities across the country are installing so-called ‘smart’ meters. As a result, bills are skyrocketing, health effects and safety violations are being reported, and privacy in our homes is being violated. Do we really need wireless smart meters?
Decide for yourself:
Do you want an accurate, reasonably priced utility bill? Utility customers have noticed huge increases in their bill after a ‘smart’ meter is installed–in some cases hundreds of dollars more than usual. Utilities claim the meters are accurate,but unexplained over-billing has featured in many negative reports, all around the US.
Do you value your health, and the health of your family and friends? Just as , why are we installing the same technology on everyone’s homes, often with no right to opt out? Thousands of people have complained of tinnitus, headaches, nausea, sleeplessness, heart arrhythmia, and other symptoms after a ‘smart’ meter was installed. Wireless technology is a. Smart meters can on human exposure to microwave radiation, and are being installed even as people are developing . There are also reports of ‘smart’ meter interference with pacemakers and other implants.
Do you value civil liberties and the right to privacy? When a ‘smart’ meter is installed, your utility has access to a treasure trove of information about your electricity usage, compromising your privacy. Depending on the regulatory protections–and enforcement of those rules–in your state, they will be able to sell this information to a series of corporations and the government. Read the with the Electronic Frontier Foundation about how ‘smart’ meters violate privacy. Read how the and the have both condemned the lack of consumer privacy protection.
Do you care about wildlife and cutting carbon emissions? Smart meters do not result in energy savings, according to . They may even increase energy consumption. There is also emerging evidence that wireless, non-ionizing radiation (from cell phones, wifi, and ‘smart’ meters) and damages trees. There have been direct reports of and .
Are you concerned about job losses in this anemic economy? PG&E claims that they are retaining 80% of their meter readers. What they don’t tell you is that several years back, they transitioned their meter readers from full time to temporary so the job loss would not appear so drastic. Utilities look upon smart meters as an easy way to boost profits by cutting jobs. We cannot afford to in this economy.
Are you in favor of fire regulations that put the safety of residents first? At least , and other electrical hazards have been caused by ‘smart’ meters. Like most other smart meters, PG&E’s meters , as is required by electrical code for all electric appliances within the home. Smart meters are potential ignition sources and remove utility personnel from neighborhoods. If meter readers had been present in San Bruno, would the gas leak have been detected in time to prevent the destruction of the neighborhood? have reported unsafe installations. Here is another
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